Expanding Broadband in Rural Areas

Connected Nation recently completed its Connected Community Engagement Program (ConnectedSM) in two west Texas counties—Upton County and Ward County. The program is used to identify ways communities can expand their high-speed internet and its related technologies to more people in small town, large urban centers, and regional areas.

RFD-TV recently talked with Tom Stephenson (pictured right), who serves as a Community Technology Advisor for Connected Nation. In his role, Stephenson is on-the-ground working with and guiding new broadband teams formed with local stakeholders to develop community-specific Technology Action Plans.

“We provide structured and comprehensive research for a community or town,” Stephenson told RFD-TV. “Basically, we work with community leaders and help them get their arms around the issue of broadband . . . we use research to identify the challenges and solutions to broadband expansion and also digital equity.”

Watch Tom Stephenson’s full interview below and learn more about the Connected Technology Action Plans which are developed for each community’s specific needs. You can also head to our Connect My Community website to find out how to leverage this program to help YOUR community.